Healthcare professionals

Collaboration with nurses

Our important work could not be completed without the assistance and co-operation of healthcare professionals across the UK. There is a growing need for tissue from individuals diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson’s, and we encourage healthcare professionals such as nurses and physiotherapists to raise awareness of our work at the brain bank. We are especially interested in collaboration with MS and Parkinson's Specialist Nurses to help us to identify individuals with rapidly progressive disease, as these patients are particularly valuable for our research.

Whether tissue donation is pre-planned and already registered, or it is a patient’s or family’s last-minute decision, it is always best to openly discuss the idea of donation in advance to ensure a smooth and mutually agreed donation process. Sometimes the decision of the donation may be done at or immediately after the time of death. Our previous collaboration with specialist nurses has shown that it would be beneficial to include some information about research and brain donation in the end-of-life plan. Please visit the donor registration documents page to find further information on questions that you or your patient may have about becoming donor.

After death

At the time of the donor’s death it is crucial to inform us immediately on our 24-hour emergency numbers - 07659 132 045 (MS); 07659 104 537 (Parkinson's). Your call will be answered by an operator, who will record your message and pass it on to the tissue bank. Our coordinator will then check the message and return your call. During office hours you can also contact us on +44 (0)20 7594 9734. If your call comes through during the night, we will answer calls immediately on the morning of the next day.

Please call the doctor to certify the death

Inform the tissue bank using the emergency number

If the death occurred out of office hours, please arrange for the funeral director to take the donor into their care within 4 hours (if possible) to keep the body refrigerated